Several students in Justin DeMaio’s classroom at West Islip’s Bayview Elementary School recently participated in Scholastic’s Pajama Drive. For each pair of pajamas donated to the initiative, Scholastic in turn donates books to children who have none, and gives the pajamas to local organizations that help people in need.

 

Pajamas: Bayview Elementary School students participated in Scholastic’s Pajama Drive to provide books for children.

 

Photo courtesy of the West Islip School District

Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School’s freshman class, along with Conciencia Latina and the Spanish Club, hosted a Zumbathon fundraiser on Jan. 26. Kicking off the night was a performance by the Madrigal Choir, led by Gina Occhiogrosso.

Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School foreign language teacher Gabrielle Romanelli led Zumba, along with four other professional instructors taking turns leading the group. The event raised more than $735, with a portion of the proceeds donated to a local family that recently lost their home due to a fire.

 

Photo caption: Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School hosted a Zumbathon fundraiser on Jan. 26. The freshman class, Conciencia Latina and the Spanish Club raised more than $735.

 

Photo courtesy of Copiague School District

What can’t Kiera Rigby do?

The student-athlete has balanced books and basketballs in all her five years at UPEI which may seem quite ordinary for many student-athletes, but the Charlottetown native has much more on her plate lately.

To go along with her sports and studies she also finds the time to volunteer at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital emergency room, host a number of charity events and continue her honors research.

“I like having a lot on the go, it keeps me busy,” said the four-time Academic All-Canadian athlete.

‘She’s amazing at that balance between athletics, academia and community.’— Marva Sweeney-Nixon

Rigby is also involved with the school’s chapter of World University Services of Canada, she also volunteers with the P.E.I. Association for Newcomers as well as the Canadian Cancer Society, Chances Family Resource Centre, the Arthritis Society and more.

Though she’s happy to fill up all the hours in her day, Rigby is also quite humble about her work.

She said she’s just like other students in “the melting pot” at UPEI.

“I’m just a student who goes here, I’m an athlete who plays for this university and I love this university with my whole heart,” she said.

“As long as I know that I identify with more than basketball and sports, that’s what keeps me going.”

‘She’s just so committed’

Those around her have taken notice of the athlete’s dedication as well.

Marva Sweeney-Nixon, a professor at UPEI and has taught Rigby in three courses, said the student athlete has reached “a very high academic standard” that pairs well with her athletic achievements.

“She’s just so committed to everything that she does … she’s an engaged student, she speaks in class in a very quiet way but a really engaging way,” Sweeney-Nixon said.

“She’s amazing at that balance between athletics, academia, and community.”

Ron Annear, the varsity co-ordinator at UPEI, said the student-athlete always comes up with ideas to help people in the community and it makes her stand out.

“What sets her apart in my mind … is her interest and desire to reach out to the community and be a Panther ambassador and get involved with various initiatives that are current and important,” Annear said.

“She’s the one that comes forward with a thought, with an idea, with a group that she’d like to support in some ways that we’re able to do that as a Panther family.”

This is Rigby’s final semester at UPEI. She has applied to several physio programs to follow up her bachelors degree and said she plans on being just as active wherever the road takes her next.

“I’ll still be trying to have a positive influence on everyone I come in contact with,” Rigby said.

“Those are character-building experiences that I’ve learned at being at university that I’ll take with me for the rest of my life … it’s definitely not the end for me.”

 

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/prince-edward-island/pei-student-athlete-community-1.4504168

Being a New Haven Charger has given me priceless experiences and connections. Not only does it allow me to play the sport I love, but it also allows me to be a part of something bigger than myself. Being a Charger is being a member of a family. From faculty members to players, everyone is connected and working towards the same goal.

The Charger family strives for excellence and seeks to ensure that each student athlete is equipped with the resources and experiences that they need to be successful during and after their time at University of New Haven.

I am proud to say that the New Haven Chargers are not only athletically talented, but we are also known to excel in the classroom. We are a part of a community where academics are put first. The Chargers supply a lengthy list of student athletes to the NE-10 Commissioner’s Honor Roll each semester. This has motivated me, personally, to work hard in the classroom every semester in order to be a part of these amazing academic accomplishments.

Athletically, each student athlete and faculty member pushes you to reach your full potential. Coaches are supporting you and building your game, while each physical trainer pushes you, so your body is in the best shape possible to perform and prevent injury. The athletic trainers do the best jobs keeping athletes treated and healthy. Every member of the athletic program supports you and wants to see you succeed which has made my experience at New Haven so valuable.

Being a Charger also allows me to give back to the community through community service and engagement activities. The Charger family devotes a lot of their time to giving back and it has done some extremely special things. Nothing feels better than being a part of making a child’s dream come true, and the New Haven Chargers commit to doing so through the Make-A-Wish foundation, earning third place in NCAA Division II Award of Excellence. Each individual team does their own forms of community service as well.

This has given me so much joy to be able to positively impact other people’s lives and it enforces the concept of not only bettering yourself, but bettering the lives of those around you as well.

Alexandria Kerr is a junior accounting major on the women’s basketball team.

 

Being a New Haven Charger

Members of the Copiague Middle School’s National Junior Honor Society volunteered at the Ronald McDonald House in New Hyde Park on Jan. 19.

The Copiague students prepped and baked a few dozen brownies and cookies for the families staying in the house. The students toured facilities and learned how the Ronald McDonald facility helps families whose children are being cared for at Cohen’s Children’s Medical Center.

National Junior Honor Society advisers Paul Harvey and Francesca Walker, along with Copiague Middle School teacher Karen Kazlauskas, led the trip.

 

Photo caption: Members of the Copiague Middle School’s National Junior Honor Society volunteered at the Ronald McDonald House in New Hyde Park on Jan. 19, where they prepped and baked cookies.

 

Photos courtesy of Copiague School District